The king returned to his own land, surrounded by a great army. Wishing to test the love and loyalty of his people, he sent forth news throughout the city. Meanwhile, Śaryāti, intent on conquering the quarters, set out on his campaign. But during his absence, the foremost among the Rākṣasas struck, slaying the king and his priest before descending into the netherworld. O best of sages, when the king’s wife heard the news brought by the messengers, she was filled with uncertainty. Seeking reassurance, she approached her beloved Madhucchandā once more. But at that very moment, a strange event occurred: overwhelmed by grief, she lost her life. The messengers, witnessing this, hurried to inform the king. Astonished and deeply troubled by the actions of the royal wives and the priest’s beloved, the king addressed the messengers again, saying, “Go quickly, guard the body of the Brahmin lady, and bring me news, for both the king and the priest will soon arrive.” As the king’s mind was clouded with anxiety, a bodiless voice resounded in the air: “O King, the Gaṅgā will accomplish all that you desire. Gautamī, purifier of the earth and dispeller of all afflictions, will fulfill your wish.” Hearing this divine assurance, Śaryāti went to the bank of the sacred Gautamī river. There, he gave wealth to the Brāhmaṇas and satisfied the ancestors and the twice-born with offerings. He sent his chief priest, the best among Brāhmaṇas and endowed with wealth, to other holy places, instructing him to distribute gifts diligently among groups of travelers. Unaware of all these actions, the priest departed. With his guru away, the king approached the great-souled Viśvāmitra. After sending away all his forces, the king entered the fire on the bank of the Gaṅgā, making a solemn declaration to the Gaṅgā, the Sun, and the gods: “If I have given, if I have offered oblations, if I have protected my people—by that truth, may this virtuous woman live with my lifespan.” Having spoken thus, Śaryāti, the best of kings, entered the fire. At that very moment, the wife of the king’s priest was restored to life. When news spread that the king had entered the fire, causing great wonder, and that his devoted wife had returned from death, the king’s guru remembered his own remaining duties. He declared, “Having seen the fire, I too must either go to my beloved or undertake austerities here.” With this resolve, the twice-born priest acted. “This alone is the proper duty for me, and indeed a virtuous act. I sustain the king, and then I return again to my beloved. This alone would be auspicious for me.” Then he praised the Sun, for truly, there is no other god who grants all desires except the Sun. He offered his salutations: “Salutations to that Sun, the liberator, of immeasurable brilliance, the deity composed of Vedic meters, whose essence is Om—salutations to you. To the formless and the beautiful, to the one of three qualities, to the triple-formed, to the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction, to the mighty Lord—salutations.” Pleased, the Sun appeared and spoke: “Ask for a boon.” The priest replied, “O Lord of gods, grant me the king, a wife who speaks kindly, virtuous sons for myself, and auspicious boons for the king as well.” The Lord of the universe granted Śaryāti, adorned with jewels, that wife, other boons, and all prosperity likewise. Filled with affection for his beloved, the king departed with the priest and happily returned to his own land. That place has since been remembered as a holy site. There are three thousand holy places endowed with virtues there, and from that time onward, the site has been called Bhānu-tīrtha. It is renowned as Mṛtasaṃjīvana, Śāryāta, and Mādhucchandasamākhyāta. Simply by remembering it, O sage, one’s sins are dispelled. Bathing and giving gifts there bestow the fruits of all sacrifices, and Mṛtasaṃjīvana increases both lifespan and health. There is also Khaḍga-tīrtha, on the northern bank of the Gautamī. By bathing and giving gifts there, a person attains liberation. Now, O Nārada, listen as I relate another story. Pailūṣa, so named, was the son of Kavaṣa, a twice-born sage. Burdened by family responsibilities and seeking wealth, he wandered everywhere but attained nothing. Disheartened, he embraced detachment. For the wise, when fate is utterly adverse and effort proves futile, there is no other refuge but detachment. Thus, sighing repeatedly, he pondered, “There is no wealth coming in, and I have many dependents.” His proud spirit was not suited for hardship—alas, cursed be the workings of ill fate! Sometimes, when he managed to earn a livelihood, he did so through various occupations. Yet, he did not obtain the wealth he sought, nor did he gain true detachment. Any service he attempted was forbidden, and severe austerities were difficult to perform. He reflected, “This thirst for gain forcibly draws me everywhere into wrongdoing. Out of ignorance, you have caused harm—therefore, O craving, I bow to you.” Thus, the wise Pailūṣa, considering how to cut off craving, spoke to his father: “With the sword of knowledge, by what means, O father, can one cut off anger and greed, and the exceedingly difficult cycle of rebirth? Tell me that method, O master.” His father replied, “The Vedic teaching is: ‘One should seek knowledge from the Lord.’ Therefore, worship the Lord, and then you will obtain knowledge.” Accepting this, Pailūṣa worshipped the Lord for knowledge. Pleased, the great Lord granted knowledge to the twice-born. Having attained knowledge and great wisdom, Pailūṣa then spoke verses that bestow liberation.